03-05-2008, 12:51 PM
Obviously, this administration never will catch on that when you try to hide things that go on, sooner or later it will come out. It's terrible that this happened and even worse that it was kept quiet for several weeks. Then to compund that problem the news does not hold his feet to the fire by asking why he was not honest and up front about this incident when it happened.
Just watch TV sometime. Administrators everywhere else deal up front with this stuff and let the public in on it right away so that there is at least a hope of keeping their confidence.
Then towards the end of the article it almost sounds like "oh poor Ed." Grow up, it goes with the territory. The one who some people might want to feel bad about is the employee. Did the department ever try things like early an employee assistance program which includes early warning detection, drug testing, and the like. Just having it in writing does not mean it is working.
Sorry you got caught up in this Tom, get better brother.
Below article courtes of the Johnson City Press
Updated March 03, 2008 10:59:29 PM
Lieutenant with WCSD fired for marijuana use
By Becky Campbell
Press Staff Writer
bcampbell@johnsoncitypress.com
A high-ranking Washington County sheriff’s officer was terminated last month after he admitted smoking marijuana, Sheriff Ed Graybeal confirmed Monday.
Former Lt. Tom Remine, who until his firing was the second-in-command in the criminal investigation division, gave a statement when confronted about the drug use, Graybeal said.
“We talked to him about some things we observed in the office. He admitted to using marijuana and possessing it,” Graybeal said.
“There was a change in his everyday activities and the way he went about some things,” Graybeal said. With the close-knit family type atmosphere in law enforcement, as well as their training to recognize drug activity, Remine’s superiors and co-workers expressed concern about his behavior, the sheriff said.
“It started out as concern for him,” Graybeal said. “It started out of real concern that something may be wrong.”
That led to a conversation with Remine, a 14-year-veteran of the department, during which he admitted using and possessing marijuana, according to the sheriff. At that point, Graybeal instructed Chief Deputy Patrick Littleton to begin an internal investigation.
During that process, Graybeal said Remine gave a statement confirming his use and possession of marijuana — in direct conflict with the department’s general orders.
“When the internal investigation was finished we didn’t have any choice,” Graybeal said. “We didn’t have any choice but to let Tom go,” he said.
Remine was terminated Feb. 13.
Graybeal also instructed his staff to conduct an evidence inventory to ensure there was nothing missing and to review Remine’s cases — especially those involving drug seizures — to make sure everything was accounted for.
Littleton said there were no allegations against Remine that he had taken any drugs from the evidence room, but the inventory was conducted as a “proactive measure.”
Graybeal said he turned the information from the internal investigation over to District Attorney General Tony Clark and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to ensure everything was complete.
“I got back with Tony Clark this morning ... there weren’t any charges,” he said.
Graybeal said Remine violated five of the department’s general orders, including three dealing with code of conduct and two with commission of a misdemeanor.
“They are expected to hold themselves to a higher standard when they wear a badge,” Graybeal said.
He said dealing with personnel situations like Remine’s aren’t pleasant, but they come with the job of an administrator.
“As sheriff and administrator, people put the trust in me to make those decisions. That’s what you have to do to maintain the integrity of the department,” Graybeal said.
“It is the hardest thing as an administrator you will do.”
It’s not just hard on Graybeal, he said, it’s hard on the whole department.
“Anytime you have something like this it’s hard on the men and women who work here. He had worked here 14 years and done a good job on his cases,” Graybeal said.
“It’s a blow to the department.”
Just watch TV sometime. Administrators everywhere else deal up front with this stuff and let the public in on it right away so that there is at least a hope of keeping their confidence.
Then towards the end of the article it almost sounds like "oh poor Ed." Grow up, it goes with the territory. The one who some people might want to feel bad about is the employee. Did the department ever try things like early an employee assistance program which includes early warning detection, drug testing, and the like. Just having it in writing does not mean it is working.
Sorry you got caught up in this Tom, get better brother.
Below article courtes of the Johnson City Press
Updated March 03, 2008 10:59:29 PM
Lieutenant with WCSD fired for marijuana use
By Becky Campbell
Press Staff Writer
bcampbell@johnsoncitypress.com
A high-ranking Washington County sheriff’s officer was terminated last month after he admitted smoking marijuana, Sheriff Ed Graybeal confirmed Monday.
Former Lt. Tom Remine, who until his firing was the second-in-command in the criminal investigation division, gave a statement when confronted about the drug use, Graybeal said.
“We talked to him about some things we observed in the office. He admitted to using marijuana and possessing it,” Graybeal said.
“There was a change in his everyday activities and the way he went about some things,” Graybeal said. With the close-knit family type atmosphere in law enforcement, as well as their training to recognize drug activity, Remine’s superiors and co-workers expressed concern about his behavior, the sheriff said.
“It started out as concern for him,” Graybeal said. “It started out of real concern that something may be wrong.”
That led to a conversation with Remine, a 14-year-veteran of the department, during which he admitted using and possessing marijuana, according to the sheriff. At that point, Graybeal instructed Chief Deputy Patrick Littleton to begin an internal investigation.
During that process, Graybeal said Remine gave a statement confirming his use and possession of marijuana — in direct conflict with the department’s general orders.
“When the internal investigation was finished we didn’t have any choice,” Graybeal said. “We didn’t have any choice but to let Tom go,” he said.
Remine was terminated Feb. 13.
Graybeal also instructed his staff to conduct an evidence inventory to ensure there was nothing missing and to review Remine’s cases — especially those involving drug seizures — to make sure everything was accounted for.
Littleton said there were no allegations against Remine that he had taken any drugs from the evidence room, but the inventory was conducted as a “proactive measure.”
Graybeal said he turned the information from the internal investigation over to District Attorney General Tony Clark and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to ensure everything was complete.
“I got back with Tony Clark this morning ... there weren’t any charges,” he said.
Graybeal said Remine violated five of the department’s general orders, including three dealing with code of conduct and two with commission of a misdemeanor.
“They are expected to hold themselves to a higher standard when they wear a badge,” Graybeal said.
He said dealing with personnel situations like Remine’s aren’t pleasant, but they come with the job of an administrator.
“As sheriff and administrator, people put the trust in me to make those decisions. That’s what you have to do to maintain the integrity of the department,” Graybeal said.
“It is the hardest thing as an administrator you will do.”
It’s not just hard on Graybeal, he said, it’s hard on the whole department.
“Anytime you have something like this it’s hard on the men and women who work here. He had worked here 14 years and done a good job on his cases,” Graybeal said.
“It’s a blow to the department.”